NECO denies operating a ‘miracle exam centre’ in Kogi.

NECO denies operating a ‘miracle exam centre’ in Kogi.

NECO Refutes Claim That Kogi School Is a ‘Miracle Centre’

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has firmly denied allegations that Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, where five individuals were abducted on Tuesday, operates as a “miracle centre”.

NECO denies operating a ‘miracle exam centre’ in Kogi.

While the Council extends its sympathies to the victims and commends the Kogi State Government and security agencies for their coordinated efforts, which resulted in the rescue of the remaining four victims, it strongly rejects the statement attributed to the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, describing the school as a miracle centre.

NECO clarified that Government Secondary School, Olowa, is a public school owned by the Kogi State Government. It has existed for more than 40 years and has been presenting candidates for the NECO Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) since 2000.

The Council also noted that the school’s Principal, Elder Daniel Iyamaa, who was among those abducted, is a Grade Level 17 officer in the Kogi State Civil Service. Likewise, the kidnapped examination supervisor, Mr Solomon Audu, is a Grade Level 12 officer employed by the Kogi State Government and posted to Community Secondary School, Effin.

According to NECO’s records, the abducted candidates are duly registered students of Government Secondary School, Olowa, who were presented for the 2026 NECO SSCE by the school with the approval of the Kogi State Government. The Council further stated that all 28 candidates registered by the school for the 2026 examination are bona fide students and not external candidates, contrary to the impression created by the Commissioner’s remarks.

NECO’s records show the school’s SSCE enrolment over the past five years as follows:

• 2025 – 20 candidates
• 2024 – 40 candidates
• 2023 – 28 candidates
• 2022 – 20 candidates
• 2021 – 21 candidates

The Council also disclosed that the Kogi State Government paid the WAEC SSCE examination fees for 51 candidates from the same school during the recently concluded 2026 examination.

NECO further revealed that, ahead of the 2026 SSCE, its Kogi State Coordinator had formally sought the support of security agencies to ensure the smooth conduct of the examinations. This precaution followed the terrorist attack on Government Secondary School, Iluke, in Ijumu Local Government Area during the 2026 WAEC SSCE.

Under the leadership of Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, NECO reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on examination malpractice, noting that recent reforms have significantly strengthened the integrity of its examinations and contributed to a marked decline in malpractice cases over the past five years.

The Council therefore urged public officials and stakeholders to verify information before making public statements that could unfairly damage the reputation of institutions or create unnecessary public concern.

NECO denies operating a ‘miracle exam centre’ in Kogi.

NECO denies operating a ‘miracle exam centre’ in Kogi.

NECO denies operating a ‘miracle exam centre’ in Kogi.